Regret Minimization

This weekend I was reading "Algoritmi per la nostra vita" by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths, and I came across the algorithm of regret minimization. The basic premise is this: when faced with a decision, think about which choice will leave you with the least regret in the future. It's not about avoiding mistakes altogether- because that's impossibl - but about making peace with the fact that some outcomes will always remain uncertain.

As I thought more about it, I realized how this plays out in so many parts of life, such as relationships. You meet a wonderful partner, you are feeling well together, and you're deciding whether to commit to this person. If you choose to stay, there's always the chance that someone "better" might come along later. If you let them go, you might spend years wondering if you walked away from someone great... Regret minimization doesn't give you a magic answer, but it helps you focus on the things that really matter - like shared values or how this person makes you feel about yourself - so you can make a choice that your future self will be proud of.

The same idea applies to career changes. There's always a risk when you leave a job you know for something new. The fear of stagnation pushes you forward, but the fear of failure holds you back. Regret minimization can help clarify the stakes. When I've been in this situations, I've found it helpful to imagine myself looking back: Would I regret staying in my comfort zone more than I'd regret taking a chance and it not working out? That perspective doesn't eliminate the risk, but it makes the decision feel more grounded.

Instead of being paralyzed by the fear of what could go wrong, I try to focus on what will matter most in the long run. Whether it's about relationships, big life changes, or even smaller everyday choices, it's a reminder to be intentional and to give my future self a little kindness.